science environment

How Land Board's Ruling Affects Planned OSU Campus

By Amanda Peacher (OPB)
June 10, 2015 12:36 a.m.
“Say 'yes' to a four-year campus that is a central part of the community," said OSU President Ed Ray during his State of the University speech in Bend.

“Say 'yes' to a four-year campus that is a central part of the community," said OSU President Ed Ray during his State of the University speech in Bend.

Amanda Peacher / OPB

Oregon’s Land Use Board of Appeals has released a decision in favor of the plan for Oregon State University’s four-year campus in Bend. A local group called Truth in Site challenged the city’s approval of the OSU-Cascades plan for an initial 10-acre campus.

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Here are the basics of Tuesday's ruling.


FAQs: OSU-Cascades And The LUBA Opinion

Why the controversy over the planned OSU-Cascades campus? Why do some oppose it?

Many people in Bend and Central Oregon support the concept of a four-year university in Bend. But the controversy is over where OSU wants to build. Members of the Truth In Site citizens group oppose the west-side location of the campus. That area is quite close to downtown, shopping and other amenities. Truth In Site says an influx of students in that area will cause traffic congestion, as well as parking and housing shortages. They'd rather see the university built in a different part of Bend.

What is the context for the Land Use Board of Appeals decision ?

It's complicated. OSU-Cascades currently owns 10 acres in West Bend. Their plan was to start construction on that land, and then expand as campus enrollment grew. OSU has priority rights to purchase 46 acres of land next door to the 10 acres it already owns. The land is an old pumice mine, and OSU is currently studying the feasibility of turning it into a campus.

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But the plan that the school submitted — and was approved by the city — was just for the initial 10-acre parcel. Truth in Site challenged the city's approval of that plan. They want OSU-Cascades to submit a master plan to the city, which is a much lengthier and more complicated process. The city only requires master plans for certain larger developments. Since the first phase of OSU-Cascades is 10 acres, the city said a master plan is not required.

What's been the reaction to LUBA's decision by those backing the school?

OSU-Cascades Vice President Becky Johnson and Bend city officials expressed relief.

"We feel very confident  in the community's desire to have a four-year university here in Central Oregon," she said. "I feel like now we can get going on the positive aspects of providing a university instead of waiting for these legal matters to work their way through the system."

"The City is pleased with the decision and the deference to council's interpretation to its codes," said Mary Winters, attorney for the City of Bend.

Truth In Site challenged six other issues with OSU-Cascades plan for the campus. What were those challenges, and what did the land use board say about them?

Truth In Site's other challenges were about issues  like OSU-Cascades' plan for parking, access points to the campus, sidewalk standards, and whether the city was following its own land use rules in approving the campus plan.  The board favored the city of Bend and OSU-Cascades in every instance.

So, what are possible next steps?

OSU-Cascades says that the decision has cleared the way for further planning and construction of the campus. The university is eager to move ahead because it says it's losing money with the delay.

Truth In Site says it will continue to challenge the plan. The group has 21 days to appeal the board's decision.


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